Helicopter Rotor Blade Control Device with Spherical Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotor blade control devices for helicopters are cumbersome, require extensive maintenance, and occupy large construction space due to complex designs with multiple parts and sliding connections, which can lead to precision issues and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade control device featuring a swash plate disk with a disk-shaped non-rotating and rotating part, utilizing three actuators arranged around the rotor shaft axis and a coupling element that forms a pivot joint with a single, rigid coupling element, reducing the number of parts and maintenance needs, and allowing for independent twisting of control shafts to adjust the rotor blades efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sliding connections and joints are used to connect actuators to the swash plate disk, then the control device can achieve complex movement adjustments, but the construction space increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate joints and connection elements into a single spherical joint that connects the actuator directly to the swash plate disk. This single joint replaces what would traditionally require multiple sliding connections, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining the ability to achieve complex spherical movements and angular adjustments of the swash plate disk.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical joint serves multiple functions simultaneously: it allows angular adjustment, accommodates spherical movements, and provides a robust connection point for the actuator. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each movement type, reducing overall device complexity while preserving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sliding connections and joints are used in the control device, then complex movements can be achieved, but the construction space occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple connection functions into a single spherical joint, the patent significantly reduces the spatial footprint required for actuator connections. The compact spherical joint design eliminates the need for extended sliding mechanisms and multiple separate joints, thereby minimizing the construction space while maintaining full movement adjustment capability.
3Ease of operation
If sliding connections are used to connect actuators to the swash plate disk, then movement adjustment is possible, but maintenance costs increase due to lubrication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sliding connection elements from the actuator-swash plate disk interface and replaces them with a spherical joint design. This elimination of sliding surfaces removes the need for lubrication and associated maintenance, while the spherical joint continues to enable smooth movement adjustment through its inherent spherical geometry and pivot capability.
4Ease of operation
If sliding connections are used in the control device, then adjustment movement can be achieved, but precision decreases due to backlash in joints
Solution Approach 1:
By removing sliding connections from the system, the patent eliminates the source of backlash and precision loss. The spherical joint provides a direct, rigid connection that maintains precise positioning without the play and wear associated with sliding surfaces, thereby improving adjustment precision while preserving movement capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution minimizes construction space, simplifies maintenance, and enhances precision by reducing the number of joints and parts, providing a more efficient and reliable rotor blade control mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling element is connected to the control shaft at a first crosspoint on the control axis in a torque-proof way, and cannot be moved axially on the control axis, so that the coupling element and the control axis with the actuator compose a pivot joint
Implementation Method 2
a ball joint is arranged inside the second crosspoint, between the lever and the non-rotating part of the swash plate disk. The coupling element can be pivoted in all directions around the second crosspoint
Implementation Method 3
The control shafts of the respective actuators can be twisted independent from each other according to the desired tilt or movement of the non-rotating part of the swash plate disk at a certain adjustment angle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a rotor blade control device for a helicopter. The rotor blade control device may include a swash plate disk with a non-rotating component coupled to the helicopter. At least three actuators may be arranged around a rotor shaft axis of the helicopter, and a coupling element may be located between each actuator and the non-rotating component. The coupling element can be adjusted to change the position of a crosspoint at the non-rotating component of the swash plate disk alongside the rotor shaft axis in order to adjust the rotor blades. The actuators may be arranged onto the non-rotating component and may be able to pivot around a respective swivel axis. A radial distance of the first crosspoint to the rotor shaft axis may change with the swivel movement of an actuator around the swivel axis.